Beholding the Wonder of the Father 3.10.11

"Though the Father is supreme, he often provides and works through his Son and Spirit to accomplish his work and fulfill his will. I am amazed when I consider here the humility of the Father. For, though the Father is supreme, though he has in trinitarian order the place of highest authority, the place of highest honor, yet he chooses to do his work in many cases through the Son and through the Spirit rather than unilaterally. Rather than saying to the Son and Holy Spirit, "Just stand aside and watch me as I do all the work," it is as if the Father, instead says to us, "I want you to see my work accomplished through my Son. Look at my Son! Notice my Son! Look at the marvelous obedience he has given to me. Look at the greatness of his grace extended to those who misunderstand and mistreat him. Look at his wisdom and power manifest in creation and redemption. Look at my Son, for with him I am well-pleased."

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Bruce Ware

"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" 2.23.11

"If you've shied away from this doctrine (of the Trinity), fearing that it's just too complicated or mysterious, I would encourage you to look again. Without question, there are aspects of the doctrine of the Trinity that are beyond our comprehension, but since God has deemed it good and right to reveal to us what he has about how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit relate and work, we must endeavor to understand what he's told us. And the glorious thing is that as we look more carefully at this triune nature and see better how the Persons of the Godhead relate within the Trinity and with us, we will discover a whole new vista of practical application that has the potential of greatly enriching our own lives."
10 reasons to focus on the Wonder of the Trinity:
1) It's one of the most important distinguishing doctrines of the Christian faith.
2) It's both central and necessary for the Christian faith.
3) True worship of the living God consciously acknowledges the Father, Son, and Spirit relationship.
4) The Christian's prayer life must rightly acknowlege the roles of Father, Son, and Spirit as we pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit.
5) The Christian's growth in Christlikeness or sanctification is rightly understood and enriched when seen as the work of the triune God.
6) It will cause us to marvel at the unity of the triune God.
7) It will cause us to marvel at the diversity of the triune God.
8) It will cause us to wonder at the social relationships of the triune God.
9) It will cause us to be in awe of the authority-submission structure that exists.
10) It provides a pattern for how human life and human relationships are to be conducted.

Chapter 1 "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" Bruce Ware

More Snow today and tomorrow and the next day... 2.21.11

Well... snow greeted us this morning. How ironic since I just stated yesterday in my post that the snow was on it's way out! I heard we are to expect another 3-5 inches over the next couple days. Oh my.
In the meantime, this weather is keeping Niyah and I inside for extra 'mommy-daughter' reading, snuggling, and coloring time. So that is definitely benificial. :) I have been trying to keep in mind that these are my last few months with 'just me and her' before brother comes along. She will always have another sibling around once he comes... so now's the time to treasure these last moments with her being my 'only child'. She is quite the little colorer now. She is soooo proud of herself when she makes a mark on her page and exclaims, "momma or daddy or Nana, or Ella etc" and points at the squiggle line on her page. She loves to draw portraits apparently. It is very cute.

As winter seems to continue here in the Leavenworth woods of Washington I have been learning more about myself. And let me say, it is not all that good. In fact, I am down right even more selfish and full of pride than I have ever known. Thankfully I have a husband who is very patient and willing to teach me and remind me of the gospel. God is gracious to change my heart of stone to a heart of flesh. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. "Ezekiel 36:26.

I have also been reading a book by Bruce Ware on the Trinity. I have been amazed at how little I have known about the Triune God. Specifically how they relate to each other, how they relate to me, and what difference this makes in my life. It is definitely a book I'd recommend for all Christians to read. I will post some quotes from the book over the next week for you to see some of what I am learning as well.

Thankful for saving grace.